Highly touted draftee Harry Armstrong and emerging midfielder Kane McAuliffe will be available for selection in Richmond's Charity Shield practice match against Collingwood after missing the Tigers' first scratch match against the Eagles.
Tigers High Performance Manager Ben Serpell provided a comprehensive overview of the current injury list at Punt Road ahead of next Wednesday's Community Series fixture against the Magpies, commenting on the players making strides in their recovery and the welfare of the recently injured.
Armstrong, who was selected at Pick 23 in last year's National Draft, missed out on donning the yellow and black for the first time after falling ill in the lead-up to the trip west.
"Unfortunate for Harry; he just got a bit sick and couldn't get on the plane," Serpell said.
"Unfortunately he missed his opportunity to get involved in the Tigers guernsey to start with, but he's up and about now and we're happy with where he's at."
Other notable absentees included Kane McAuliffe and Josh Smillie, who are recovering from respective concussion and hamstring concerns.
McAuliffe looks set to get his first taste of AFL action this year after receiving clearance from concussion protocols this week, while the door for selection is firmly shut for Smillie, despite being hopeful for an appearance in the trial games after his initial scans.
"Kane McAuliffe has got through all his concussion protocols and should be available this week," Serpell said.
"Josh Smillie's doing really well.
"He's in a few drills today, still getting a fair bit of work in out there.
"We said early doors that we were going to be conservative with him and get a consistent training load into him, so we'll stick with that plan and we'll see him get into more and more footy as the weeks go on."
Serpell also commented on Hugo Ralphsmith and Sam Lalor, two Tigers who fell victim to injuries in the pre-season hitout against the Eagles.
Ralphsmith's hamstring setback has ruled the emerging star out of the opening few weeks of the season, while Lalor's fractured jaw leaves him in a race against the clock for Round 1.
"(The hamstring injury) is unfortunate for Hugo," Serpell said.
"I think that when we're working so close to the margins all the time, we are going to get one or two here or there.
"He's back into some rehab already. He was already out running today (Friday) and we've got a plan set in place for him.
"We will be conservative as we go, but as I said, it's unfortunate for him.
"(The jaw fracture) was unfortunate for Sam. Not only do we have to worry about him recovering from surgery for a broken jaw, but we also have to go through some concussion protocols for him.
"He's tracking well, he's in the club today, and the boys got around him a little bit and he was smiling, albeit with a bit of a swollen face."
Tom Lynch is still progressing through concussion protocols, while Maurice Rioli can be expected to return to the side after playing for the Indigenous All Stars last Friday.
Richmond's Charity Shield match against Collingwood commences on Wednesday night at Ikon Park.
